Choose to volunteer in Nepal and there are a variety of volunteer projects you can get involved in. Make a real contribution to the lives of deprived youngsters. Or live in a Buddhist monastery.

You’ll be living and eating with a Nepali family so you’ll have opportunities to experience the culture that you wouldn’t have if you were in a hostel. You’ll also be travelling to your volunteer place of work by foot or on a bus – more great ways to get a feel for the Nepal. If you want, you can have some typical Nepali clothing made especially for you so you won’t even look out of place!

Discover Nepal. You’ll have plenty of time to explore. It is full of breath-taking and spectacular natural views. This is Himalaya country – enough said.

What will I be doing?

Introduction to Nepal: 3 or 5 days

Destination info

Nepal is a country of superlatives. It’s in the Himalayas and the country has eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains and 240 peaks over 20,000 feet. And, of course, it is home to Mount Everest, the highest point on earth (let’s give it its Nepalese name: Sagarmatha).

Location: Kathmandu

This is your introduction to Nepal - its culture and language – and to the project you’ll be working on.

After arriving into Kathmandu your first few nights will be in a private house on the outskirts of Kathmandu where you can relax, shake off the jet lag and meet your fellow volunteers. You’ll spend the next few days learning about the volunteer project you’ve chosen, getting your head round a few language basics and finding out something about where you are. You’ll also meet and move in with your host family and get comfortable with them.

Your introduction to Nepal will either be 3 or 5 days, depending on the duration of your trip.

Teach children Volunteer Option: 2 to 12 weeks

Destination info

Nepal is a country of superlatives. It’s in the Himalayas and the country has eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains and 240 peaks over 20,000 feet. And, of course, it is home to Mount Everest, the highest point on earth (let’s give it its Nepalese name: Sagarmatha).

Location: Chitwan, Kathmandu, Langtang or Pokhara

Teach children in a local school, children’s resource centre or childcare centre – in Chitwan, Kathmandu, Langtang or Pokhara

It’s really satisfying teaching these kids a new language. You’ll find them enthusiastic and friendly and funny and eager to learn and you’ll come away feeling that you’ve achieved something good.

You can also tackle basic science and maths and get involved in sports and games. You don’t need any teaching experience, but you do need to be a creative and patient sort of person and, of course, to like working with youngsters. We’ll help with a basic syllabus and some tips, but beyond that it’s largely up to you. The more resourceful and inventive you are, the more the children – and you – will get out of it.

Please note: While we will always take your preference on the type and location of volunteering into account this is dependent on availability and the needs of the various projects at the time of your stay.

Teach English to Monks Option: 2 to 12 weeks

Destination info

Nepal is a country of superlatives. It’s in the Himalayas and the country has eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains and 240 peaks over 20,000 feet. And, of course, it is home to Mount Everest, the highest point on earth (let’s give it its Nepalese name: Sagarmatha).

Location: Kathmandu

Teach English to monks in a Buddhist monastery – in Kathmandu

This is something totally different – just too good to miss if you’re at all interested in Buddhism. You’ll not only be working with the monks, but living with them and you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Buddhist culture on this unique volunteering experience.

You don’t need any teaching experience. As a volunteer you’ll be working with intelligent and educated adults, so you should have good written and verbal English and you’ll need to be flexible and patient.

Please note: While we will always take your preference on the type and location of volunteering into account this is dependent on availability and the needs of the various projects at the time of your stay.

Chitwan Trip: 3 Days

Destination info

Nepal is a country of superlatives. It’s in the Himalayas and the country has eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains and 240 peaks over 20,000 feet. And, of course, it is home to Mount Everest, the highest point on earth (let’s give it its Nepalese name: Sagarmatha).

Location: Chitwan

You’ll arrange the precise schedule for your volunteering projects in Nepal with the people you’re working with. There will be plenty of time for you to explore this amazing country and get to know its people and something about how they live.

The trip includes a three-day visit to Chitwan – location of Nepal’s first national park. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see some of the rare animal species native to that part of the world – Bengal tiger, gharial, Asian rhinoceros, leopard, Mugger crocodile and rock pythons. You can also do some canoeing, meet some baby elephants in a sanctuary, walk in the jungle and visit some Tharu communities.

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To get a detailed PDF of information for this trip including full itinerary, country guides and travel advice on visas, money, insurance and the local weather, download our trip notes. By doing so you’ll also be kept updated on all the latest news, offers and stories on this particular trip. Happy reading!

What's included?

Airport Pick-up and drop off

Most food and accommodation

Orientation

Transport to and from the project

Three-day/two-night trip to Chitwan

What's not included?

International flights

Travel insurance

Visa

Food and drink on trip to Chitwan and during orientation days

National Park Entrance Fees

Sightseeing entrance fees

Additional Information & FAQs

Minimum age

Minimum age 18 years old, maximum decided on participant’s health.

Minimum numbers required on this trip

There are no minimum numbers on the trip.

Please note: you may be the only volunteer at your chosen project at any one time. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact us

Accommodation

During your orientation you will stay in a private house on the outskirts of Kathmandu. The rooms will be basic but you will have a comfortable bed, Western style toilet and shower, with hot water.

For the duration of your volunteering you’ll be staying with a host family. This gives you the opportunity to have an authentic Nepalese experience- far more rewarding than if you were staying in a hostel. The accommodation will be simple but you will be well looked after. You’re host family will provide you with breakfast and dinner which is mainly Nepalese style food. You should expect traditional daal (lentil curry) lots of spinach and potatoes.

Meals

In a typical placement you will stay with a local family and eat Nepali food twice a day - 9am breakfast/lunch and 7pm dinner. Tea is served in the morning and also in the afternoon. You may also have the opportunity to get together with other volunteers and share your experiences. You will be able to travel to nearby towns to purchase things for daily use and could travel to other areas of Nepal for longer if you wish.

During your arrival orientation days and your trip to Chitwan National Park meals and drinks are not included, please budget approximately 1,250 Nepalese Rupees per day cover this.

Is this trip for you?

You may be the only volunteer at your chosen project at any one time. However, you will still have the full support of your in-country team and those at the project. If you are looking for a group volunteering experience we have plenty of options for you to consider.

Orientation

The day after you arrive you will have a 2 to 4 day orientation depending on the duration of your programme.

You will have three hours of language lessons daily and a full orientation about Nepalese culture and the project you are about to embark upon. You will also be taken on a tour of the local sites including: Durbar square, Pashupatinath, Buddhanath, and Sayambhunath, Patan Durbar square and Budanilkantha. Entrance fees are not included.

Meals during your orientation will be typical Nepalese fare, the perfect introduction to a culture!

During the orientation you will also have the opportunity to have some traditional local Nepalese clothing made for your programme. This is not essential but we strongly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity in order to gain the respect of the staff and locals on the programme.

Following your orientation in Kathmandu you will head to your placement. If you are based in Chitwan or Pokhara for your volunteer work you will take the tourist bus from Kathmandu which will take between 6-8 hours depending traffic.

Advice & Safety

Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.

You will be assigned a personal travel adviser who will co-ordinate your programme with you. Feel free to contact them at any time before you go, or when you are on your travels.

In addition, you will have access to a 24-hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

FAQ

1. Can I take part with another person?

Although most people travel on their own, we can definitely organise for two to travel and volunteer together at the same project.

6. Do I need to take a mosquito net?

7. Will there be a safe/safety deposit box available?

Yes, you will be able to leave it with the team in Nepal and they will look after it for you. You can either leave your valuable in their house, office or their safe in the bank which is next to their office.

1. If going in Jan, take a good sleeping bag
2. If teaching, take lesson plans
3. Take two torches

Would you travel with our company again?

yes

Would you recommend us?

10

Nepal Community Volunteers2014-03-10

Page Logan - January 2014

How would you rate your overall experience?

(7/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Everything was planned for me! Easy adventure!

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(9/10)

Please rate the accuracy of your pre-departure information

(9/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(10/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(8/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(10/10)

Please rate your airport pickup (where applicable)

(10/10)

Please rate your in-country orientation

(6/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

Highlight was defiantly being able to live within the monastery and orphanage with the children and workers to really experience their way of life

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

Relax! Just let things flow and don't expect things to be similar as in on time or quality. Take heaps of bandaids and disinfectant- because you or your friend WILL hurt themselves.

Would you travel with our company again?

yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Nepal Community Volunteers2014-01-31

Sarah Mcquarrie - January 2014

How would you rate your overall experience?

(6/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Crazy, Scary, Unforgettable, Challenging, Amazing, Rewarding.

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(9/10)

Please rate the accuracy of your pre-departure information

(5/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(5/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(7/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(8/10)

Please rate your airport pickup (where applicable)

(4/10)

Please rate your in-country orientation

(6/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

The safari at Chitwan was really fun and also helping the children was so rewarding.

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

1) Research the weather and what you should wear (they can frown upon a few things). 2) Dont miss an opportunity, if your host family or coordinator asks you if you want to go somewhere, TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY. Dont miss a single thing. 3) Take toilet paper everywhere with you, they dont have any.

Would you travel with our company again?

yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Nepal Community Volunteers2014-01-29

Lynette Anderson - June 2013

How would you rate your overall experience?

(8/10)

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(3/10)

Please rate the accuracy of your pre-departure information

(8/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(9/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(8/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(9/10)

Please rate your airport pickup (where applicable)

(9/10)

Please rate your in-country orientation

(9/10)

Would you travel with our company again?

yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Nepal Community Volunteers2013-06-09

James Hygate - June 2013

How would you rate your overall experience?

(10/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Best experience of my life, I want to go back!

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(10/10)

Please rate the accuracy of your pre-departure information

(10/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(10/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(10/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(10/10)

Please rate your airport pickup (where applicable)

(10/10)

Please rate your in-country orientation

(10/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

There were so many it is hard to list them all! If I had to pick two highlights it would be helping to create a better home for the children in the orphanage and going trekking in the Himalayas. Both of those were unbelievably amazing.

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

1) Bring a camera - you will definitely want to have pictures for the memories and to show off
2) Bring a mosquito net - they are not that much of an issue but it is very nice to be able to sleep in peace
3) Be prepared for the best thing you will ever do!

Would you travel with our company again?

yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Nepal Community Volunteers2013-06-03

Sharan Bahra - October 2011

How would you rate your overall experience?

(7/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

The company of like minded people - we had a superb group of volunteers. Opportunity also to do some off the scale activities - rafting/ paragliding. Organisation of in house team - Asim was hugely supportive and flexible and there when you needed the team

Nepal Community Volunteers2011-10-11

Stephanie Oakley - July 2011

How would you rate your overall experience?

(10/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

The best thing I have ever done in my life!

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(8/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(10/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(10/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(10/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

Meeting all the new people and becoming friends. Washing an elephant, well all the elephant aspects. Meeting and getting to know the most wonderful children. Loved everything

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

Take loads of mosquito repellent Take loads of Antiback hand gel Take a camera - there are so many memories that you will want to remember

Would you travel with our company again?

Yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Nepal Community Volunteers2011-07-04

Lisa Lindfield - July 2011

How would you rate your overall experience?

(10/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

A life changing experience, everthing and more i expected.

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(9/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(9/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(8/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(10/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

It was totally amazing, meeting and spending time with the children was superb, they accepted us and had a fantastic approach to life, they made the whole trip worthwhile.

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

A sleeping bag is essential. Take toilet roll or buy some out there and always keep spare with you! Take lots of pictures, the memory's are out of this world.

Would you travel with our company again?

Yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Nepal Community Volunteers2011-07-04

Jimmy Wong - July 2011

How would you rate your overall experience?

(9/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Truly unforgettable experience, exceeded anything that I could have dreamed.

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(9/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(8/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(7/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(7/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

This is a difficult question to answer as the whole experience was one big highlight. However some of my standout memories were living and teaching at the Kawalung Monastery, Going on a jungle trek in Chitwan, a mountain flight through the Himalayas, the Ghorepani - Ghandruk trek and a Parahawk flight.

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

My tips are - 1. Try learning a few Nepalese phrases before your trip. Doing so goes a long way which the locals appreciate. 2. Understand and accept that there is something called 'Nepalese time.' When they say that they'll pick you up in the morning it could very well be the afternoon when they do so and vice versa. The operative words being 'accept it' and trying not to stipulate western time keeping as it will only cause you to stress. 3. Try to experience as much of this wonderful country as humanly possible. I tried and certainly was not disappointed.

Would you travel with our company again?

Yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Nepal Community Volunteers2011-07-04

Rebecca Newton - July 2011

How would you rate your overall experience?

(10/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Best six weeks of my life

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(7/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(10/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(10/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(9/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

Volunteering in the monastery Meeting lots of new people Everest flight Riding on top of a bus through the Himalayas

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

Take lots of mosquito repellent Don't scratch the mosquito bites if the repellent doesn't work Don't wear white tops in monsoon season

Would you travel with our company again?

Yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Nepal Community Volunteers2011-07-04

Frances Brill - July 2011

How would you rate your overall experience?

(9/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(10/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

Living with a host family for such a substanial amount of time i felt i was able to properly bond with them and i became very attached to them. The way in which the people immediately treated you like a member of their family and the overall attitude of all the people involved in the placement was incredibly welcoming and accomodating.